Crash alarm system

Abstract

A system and method for instantly communicating to and substantially simultaneous reception by a plurality of receivers, a signal warning of the occurrence and location of a calamitous event, for example, automobile collisions, natural disasters, unnoticeable vehicular accidents, and the like. The system according to the present invention includes a plurality of sensors for automatically detecting a specified event, a controlling unit for processing sensor information, a signal transmitter for instantly reporting the event, a signal receiver for direct reception of signal transmissions, and an alarm for notifying a user of an accident and its location. Communication is conducted directly to all receiver means in the proximate area of such signal transmitter. The system can be deployed independent of vehicular function. Distress signals may be activated manually. The method of using such system enables instant simultaneous direct notification concerning such calamitous event to all receiver devices thereby enabling the possessor of such device to avoid such calamitous event or to render aid to victims of such event, if able.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of warning individuals about a calamitous event, comprising: 
 a. providing detecting means for detecting the occurrence of such calamitous event;    b. providing transmitting means for transmitting a signal;    c. providing receiving means for receiving such transmitted signal;    d. detecting the occurrence of such calamitous event;    e. substantially instantaneously with detecting such calamitous event, transmitting a signal by such transmitting means;    f. receiving such transmitted signal by such receiving means, and    g. such receiving means providing a warning indication of such calamitous event.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a. providing controller means coupled to the detecting means, the transmitting means, and the receiving means.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the controller means further comprises 
 a. a central processing unit;    b. a read-only memory; and    c. a random-access memory.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting means comprises a sensor coupled to an accelerometer.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting means comprises a plurality of wave generator means for generating and propagating an electromagnetic wave of predetermined frequency, wavelength, spectrum, duration and power to provide a desired sensing range and for receiving reflected wave off of an obstacle within the range of the wave generator means, the predetermined frequency of the wave being in a radar frequency range.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting means comprises at least one electrical sensor for sensing momentum changes resulting from a collision.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting means comprises at least one sensor for observing extreme fluctuations in temperature.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting means comprises a radio transmitter for transmitting radio frequency signals at a repetitive rate.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving means comprises a radio receiver for receiving radio frequency signals.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving means receives a transmission directly from the transmitting means.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the warning indication is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a. a visual signal;    b. an audible signal    c. a mechanical signal, and    d. combinations of visual signals, audible signals and mechanical signals.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , in which 
 such detection of such calamitous event is performed automatically.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , in which 
 such detection of such calamitous event is performed manually.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 providing a plurality of receiving means for receiving the transmitted signal, and    in which, such transmitted signal is received simultaneously by all such plurality of receiving means.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 providing means for manually transmitting a signal.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , in which 
 such detecting means, transmitting means and receiving means are mounted in a vehicle selected from the group consisting of: 
 a. automobiles;  
 b. motorcycles;  
 c. trucks;  
 d. busses;  
 e. trains;  
 f. boats, and  
 g. personal watercraft.  
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , in which 
 such detecting means, transmitting means and receiving means are handcarried.    
     
     
         18 . A method of communicating the occurrence and location of a calamitous event to 
 a plurality of users within a specified geographic location, comprising: 
 a. automatically sensing by means of a plurality of sensor means mounted on a vehicle such occurrence of the calamitous event;  
 b. transmitting a signal for indicating the location of such vehicle, and  
 c. receiving such signal and sending an alarm.  
   
     
     
         19 . A method of communicating the occurrence and location of a calamitous event to 
 a plurality of users within a specified geographic location, comprising: 
 a. manually transmitting a signal indicating the location of a user;  
 b. receiving such signal by a plurality of signal receiver means, and  
 c. such plurality of signal receivers communicating an alarm and location signal.